Berkeley set to vote on sweatshop ordinance

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 San Francisco Chronicle

By Carolyn Jones, Chronicle Staff Writer

Berkeley has built up a sweat trying to become sweatshop-free.

More than four years after the idea first surfaced, the City Council is set to vote Tuesday on an anti-sweatshop ordinance that has bounced around among three commissions, several City Hall departments and a host of community groups, as they've debated how to pay for and enforce the plan.

But the ordinance - which would prohibit the city from buying goods manufactured in sweatshops - could be delayed five more months or so if City Manager Phil Kamlarz has his way.

Kamlarz is recommending that the City Council send the ordinance back to City Hall for further analysis, especially regarding the potential cost of purchasing uniforms and other goods made in factories that do not violate local or international labor laws.

"We agree with the policy, but we want to craft an ordinance that's really going to work and be cost-neutral," said Mary Kay Clunies-Ross, Kamlarz's spokeswoman.

Several council members said, so far, they agree with Kamlarz.

"It's a great idea and an admirable effort, but whether we have a practical plan at this point, I don't think so," said Councilman Gordon Wozniak.

Berkeley, which prides itself on being in the forefront of progressive causes, has lagged in its banishment of sweatshops. San Francisco; Los Angeles; Boston; Portland, Ore.; and even Toledo, Ohio, have all formally shunned sweatshops. Eight states, including California, have also passed bans.

"This has been dragging on for four or five years," said Councilman Kriss Worthington, who was among the first supporters of the ordinance. "I don't see why we should wait another five months."

Worthington is putting forth an alternative proposal that would add a $1,000 penalty for vendors who falsely claim to be sweatshop-free.

If it passes, the ordinance would apply at first only to uniforms and other garments. Every year the labor commission would add new items. Millions of goods the city orders could be affected every year.

Berkeley would join a consortium of other sweatshop-free cities, states and school districts that investigates overseas factories and determines which violate labor laws.

Berkeley has been giving $25,000 a year to the consortium, in anticipation of eventually joining.

"Berkeley's not the first with this, but it has been a leader," said Liana Foxvog, national coordinator of Sweatfree Communities, a nonprofit based in Massachusetts.
Meeting info

The Berkeley City Council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Old City Hall, 2180 Milvia St., Berkeley. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us.

E-mail Carolyn Jones at carolynjones@sfchronicle.com.